Professional~Level Hiring Expected To Increase in First Quarter ~ Shortage of Skilled Professionals
MENLO PARK, CA /PRNewswire/ ~ Employers expect to increase hiring for professional-level positions in the first quarter, but they have concerns about finding qualified candidates for these roles, a new Robert Half survey shows. A net 10 percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report plan to add full-time staff in the first three months of the year, up three points from the fourth-quarter forecast. However, the number of respondents who report recruiting challenges also is on the rise: 67 percent of executives said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled employees today, up from 59 percent last quarter and 42 percent in the third quarter.
To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please visit: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53176-robert-half-professional-employment-report-q12012
Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they are at least somewhat confident in their organizations’ ability to grow in the first quarter.
The Robert Half Professional Employment Report is based on telephone interviews with more than 4,000 C-level executives and other leaders from a variety of fields throughout the United States who are asked about their hiring plans and general level of optimism for the upcoming quarter. Survey respondents include more than 1,400 chief financial officers (CFOs); 1,400 chief information officers (CIOs); 500 senior human resources managers; 100 lawyers at law firms and 100 corporate lawyers; and 125 advertising executives and 375 marketing executives, all of whom have hiring authority. The Robert Half Professional Employment Report is the first quarterly executive survey of its size and scope to concentrate exclusively on professional-level hiring.
Key Findings
~ A net 19 percent of respondents in the transportation sector said they expect to make staff additions.
~ Businesses in the West North Central[1] states will be hiring most actively, with a net 15 percent of executives planning to add professional-level staff in the first quarter, research shows.
~ The legal field is expected to see the strongest hiring activity, with a net 27 percent of lawyers planning to increase staff levels. The information technology (IT) and finance fields showed the largest net gains in projected hiring activity from the prior quarter.
~ Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents( )said they are having recruiting challenges, up eight points from the fourth quarter.
~ Sixteen percent of respondents anticipate hiring professional-level staff and 6 percent expect reductions in personnel. The resulting net 10 percent increase is up three points from the fourth-quarter forecast.
Hiring Expectations: By Profession Increase //Decrease//Net Increase ======== ======== ============
Total 16% 6% 10% ~~- ~- ~- ~- Accounting and finance 20% 11% 9% ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~- ~- ~- Advertising and marketing 18% 4% 14% ~~~~~~~~~~~~- ~- ~- ~- Human resources 11% 3% 8% ~~~~~~~- ~- ~- ~- Information technology 20% 10% 10% ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~- ~- ~- Legal 31% 4% 27% ~~- ~- ~- ~- Sales and business development 15% 4% 11% ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~- ~- ~-
Executives Reporting Recruiting Challenges: All Professions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Quarter Executives Citing Recruiting Challenges ~-
1Q12 67% ~~ ~- 4Q11 59% ~~ ~- 3Q11 42% ~~ ~- 2Q11 37% ~~ ~- 1Q11 29% ~~ ~-
“The U.S. unemployment rate for college-educated workers is roughly half the overall rate, and for many professional specialties it is even lower,” said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International. Messmer pointed out that in the third quarter of 2011, the unemployment rates for financial analysts and computer network architects were less than 1 percent, according to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Brett Good, a senior district president with Robert Half International, added, “The common wisdom is that jobs are simple to fill in this market, but many employers are struggling to find the talent they need. Professionals with highly specialized skills are in short supply ~ particularly in the information technology and finance fields.”
Professional-Level Hiring ~ By Region
Respondents in the West North Central states anticipate the strongest hiring activity in the first quarter, with a net 15 percent of executives planning to add staff. “Healthcare, manufacturing and financial services firms are responsible for much of the hiring activity in the West North Central region,” Messmer noted. “Businesses in these fields seek accounting operations professionals, customer service representatives, web developers and IT systems administrators, among other roles.”
Professional-Level Hiring ~ By Industry
First-quarter professional-level hiring is anticipated to be strongest in the transportation sector, where a net 19 percent of respondents said they expect to make staff additions. A net 14 percent of executives in both the wholesale and construction industries also indicated they will hire during the quarter.
Professional-Level Hiring ~ By Profession
While the legal profession maintained its top spot in the survey with a net 27 percent of lawyers planning to hire, IT and finance showed the largest sequential gains, each yielding net increases in hiring activity that are up four points from the fourth-quarter survey.
The IT and finance fields also reported the greatest difficulty in finding skilled professionals, at 73 percent and 68 percent, respectively.
About Robert Half International
Founded in 1948, Robert Half International, the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, is a recognized leader in professional staffing services. The company’s specialized staffing divisions include Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and senior-level project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam, for highly skilled temporary administrative support personnel; Robert Half Technology, for information technology professionals; Robert Half Legal, for legal personnel; and The Creative Group, for interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations professionals. Robert Half International has staffing and consulting operations in more than 400 locations worldwide. Find more information at www.roberthalf.com, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf.
[1] IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
SOURCE Robert Half International
CONTACT: Michael Weiss, michael.weiss@rhi.com
Web Site: http://www.roberthalf.com
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FYI Tidbits // New Navy budgets may sink plans for aircraft carriers
On the surface, the Navy’s cherished fleet of 11 active aircraft carriers seems safe from President Obama’s budget slashers. Conventional wisdom says the requirement to cut $488 billion from the Pentagon within 10 years will not necessitate banishing a single carrier because the president’s military strategy focuses on two carrier-dependent regions. While the fiscal 2013 budget may well continue 11 carriers, the Navy will be down to 10 or even nine carriers within in the next five years.
Read more/learn more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/15/new-navy-budgets-may-sink-plans-for-carriers/
Major Marine Military Equipment Expo Set for February 1 ~ 2 at Camp Pendleton, CA
SAN DIEGO, CA /PRNewswire/ ~ The 2012 edition of Marine West, one of the nation’s most comprehensive military equipment expositions of the year, will be held at Camp Pendleton, CA, during February 1 – 2.
Companies from around the world will showcase weapons, equipment and systems designed to enhance the amphibious and expeditionary warfighting capabilities of America’s Marines in carrying out their “First to Fight” role. Marine West provides Marines and other U.S. and allied military personnel with opportunities to interface with leading U.S. and international defense industry professionals. The event will include displays and videos of the best military hardware produced anywhere in the world, with opportunities for “hands-on” examination of many of the items being presented.
This year’s edition of Marine West comes at a time when the U.S. Armed Forces are in the midst of reviewing their equipment needs after years of sustained combat operations in Southwest Asia and exceptionally high training and operational tempos around the world. The event allows end-users of combat equipment to look to the future and incorporate what they see and hear into their considerations in the critical equipment reset strategy now underway. Attendees will be able to discuss with company representatives what their specific requirements are, offer suggestions for future generations of weapons and equipment, and explore the most cost-effective avenues toward modernization. Marine West has added a new dimension to the relationship between the defense industry and thousands of warfighters just back from combat as well as those training for combat and those responsible for re-equipping of the 21st Century Corps.
In addition to equipment and weapons, logistics support systems, and communications systems, other displays will highlight items used in special operations and a growing number of other diverse military roles, including chemical and biological agent detection, facility and perimeter surveillance, and reconnaissance, among others.
Co-sponsors of Marine West 2012 are Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps League and Marine Corps Systems Command. Camp Pendleton is one of the Marine Corps’ largest and most important training bases. The Marine Corps League is a Congressionally chartered Marine veterans’ organization long noted for its support of the Corps. The Marine Corps Systems Command has overall responsibility for assuring that Marines have cutting-edge equipment and technology specifically designed for, or adapted to, the Corps’ wide spectrum of intense performance demands for combat operations. The event is endorsed by the Marine Corps Aviation Association and Marine Corps Association.
All attendees will be required to present photo identification. Vehicles entering Camp Pendleton may be subjected to inspection. Registration will be on-site; however, Marines in uniform will not be required to register. There is no fee to attend the event.
The exhibit area for Marine West 2012 will be adjacent to Camp Pendleton’s South Mesa Club. On Wednesday, February 1st, the first day of the expo, a Commanders’ Preview will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. All other attendees are invited to attend the opening ceremony from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and visit the equipment displays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
On Thursday, February 2nd, the exposition will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The Marine West 2012 Schedule:
Tuesday, January 31 – Marine West 2012 Golf Tournament
Wednesday, February 1 (registration open 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Commander’s Preview
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Exhibit Area Open
6:00 p.m. Marine West Dinner
Thursday, February 2 (registration open 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.) 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Exhibit Area Open
Further information on Marine West 2012 is available from Mr. Charlie Baisley at (703) 812-2741 or charles.baisley@nielsen.com and online at http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com
Information on the golf tournament being held in conjunction with Marine West is also available on the Marine Military Expos website. The tournament supports The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League and the U.S. Marines’ Youth Foundation. It will be co-hosted by retired Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps H. G. Overstreet and actor R. Lee Ermey, who is well known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s film, Full Metal Jacket, and as host of the History Channel’s hit show, Mail Call.
To cover the expo, media should contact Carl White: carlwhite@expomediaservices.com
SOURCE Marine West 2012
Web Site: http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com
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SAIC seeks Military Professionals to join it
SAIC Military Careers
SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy & environment, health and cybersecurity. We know your transition from the military to a career in the private sector marks a new chapter in your professional journey.
Learn More About SAIC
With well over 10,000 veterans currently calling SAIC home, we want you to know that SAIC has proven expertise in supporting veterans through this transition. We invite you to search for jobs by military branch below. To learn about some of our OCONUS opportunities in locations such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, click here.
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US Army Declares Raytheon Counter~IED System a ‘Greatest Invention’
DULLES, VA /PRNewswire/ The U.S. Army has named a system developed and produced by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) one of “the most innovative advances in Army technology.”
An article published Sept. 12 on the Army’s website (http://www.army.mil/article/65324%29)explains that the Counter IED (CIED) defeat system “provides significant capability to the Soldier and their mission and, more importantly, saves lives.”
The CIED system was developed and produced by the Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC Customized Engineering and Depot Support (CEDS) business unit, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., along with key supplier Communications and Power Industries (CPI), headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., under an Army contract awarded in October 2010. Shipments of the systems began in April 2011 and were completed in October, just one year from contract award.
“Our highly efficient design and manufacturing process enabled us to get this equipment to our customers quickly, so it could be fielded as soon as possible,” said CEDS Vice President Wayne Iurillo. “It’s most gratifying that the system is helping to protect our warfighters and the innocent civilians harmed by IEDs, and we appreciate the Army’s selection of this system as one of the greatest inventions.”
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide. For more about Raytheon, visit us at http://www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @raytheon.
Media Contact Amy B. Smith http://www.raytheon.com
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Department of Industrial Relations Highlights New Laws Slated to Take Effect In 2012
OAKLAND, CA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ ~ The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) highlights new laws that apply to California employers and take effect Jan. 1, 2012. The new laws are designed to provide protections for employees and detail requirements for new hires. Other new laws allow for employer savings in their workers’ compensation costs.
Starting on Jan. 1, 2012, California employers must provide additional information to new hires that are not exempt from overtime, are not public employees, or subject to certain collective bargaining agreements. Assembly Bill, (AB) 469 requires a written notice be provided at the time of hire that contains specified information about rate of pay, pay day designation, physical address of the employer’s main office and the name, address, and phone number of the employer’s workers’ compensation carrier. A template of the written notice is available from the California Labor Commissioner at www.dir.ca.gov/dlse.
Another bill addressing new hires is AB 22, which prohibits employers from obtaining and using consumer credit information for applicants or employees unless the positions meet one or more of the law’s exemption criteria. Exemptions to this requirement include law enforcement positions, positions that require regular access to bank and credit information or that require access to confidential or proprietary information, and to the employer’s bank accounts or cash.
AB 1236 prohibits state or local government employers from requiring a private employer to use the federal E-Verify program unless required by federal law or as a condition of receiving federal funds. E-Verify is a federally created program that allows employers to use an internet based system to electronically verify the employment eligibility of new hires.
Under the new requirements of AB 243, farm labor contractors are now required to include, in the itemized information on employee pay statements, the name and address of the legal entity (usually a grower) that secured the services of the farm labor contractor.
Several new laws address public works projects. AB 436 creates a new program to monitor and enforce prevailing wage requirements on public works projects that receive state bond funding. This program will have a special role in ensuring public works construction workers are promptly paid the proper prevailing wage rates and in helping maintain a level playing field for contractors who comply with the law. Information about this program can be found at www.dir.ca.gov/cmu.
Employers working on public projects must also ensure that they are paying the proper prevailing wage. AB 551 increases the maximum penalty for each worker paid less than the determined prevailing wage. This bill also increases the penalty for failure to respond to a written request from the Labor Commissioner for payroll records.
AB 514 clarifies when the hauling of refuse, from a public works site to an outside disposal location, requires the payment of prevailing wages.
Senate Bill, (SB) 136 defines public works so that the prevailing wages apply to work performed in connection with the construction or maintenance of renewable energy or energy efficiency improvements where certain conditions are met.
Payment rules for dispensing medical equipment and drugs, including compounded drugs, are prescribed by AB 378. This bill also reduces inappropriate financial incentives in order to lowers workers’ compensation costs by by prohibiting referral of a patient to a pharmacy in which the physician has financial interest.
AB 1168 lowers workers’ compensation costs by establishing a fee schedule for vocational experts. This will prohibit vocational experts from being paid fees in excess of what is allowed under the schedule.
SB 826 establishes a penalty schedule for addressing violations of workers’ compensation data reporting requirements by claims administrators.
For a more complete list of new laws that fall within the jurisdiction of the Department of Industrial Relations visit www.dir.ca.gov.
CONTACT:
Dean Fryer Erika Monterroza
SOURCE Dept. of Industrial Relations
Web Site: http://www.dir.ca.gov
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SAIC Awarded $22 Million Contract for Air Logistics Center
Company to Provide Instrument Landing System Modernization Services in Support of the U.S. Air Force
MCLEAN, VA /PRNewswire/ — Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center (OC-ALC) to provide Instrument Landing System (ILS) modernization services in support of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The contract has a one year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a total contract value of more than $22 million, if all options are exercised. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., Overland Park, Kan. and at USAF bases worldwide, as required.
The OC-ALC provides depot maintenance, management expertise, installation services and information support for weapon systems, commands, USAF bases and allied nations. Under the contract, SAIC will provide ILS modernization services, including a modification that replaces obsolete ILS components with modern commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, integrates them into existing infrastructure, and enables remote maintenance and monitoring. SAIC will also help develop a comprehensive data package, including configuration management, maintenance, interfaces, and life cycle logistics support.
“We look forward to continuing our support of the USAF as we work to replace legacy ILS systems with reliable and proven components that are updated, more efficient and cost effective,” said Glenn SanGiacomo, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager.
About SAIC
SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy & environment, health, and cybersecurity. The company’s approximately 41,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC had annual revenues of approximately $11 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2011. For more information, visit www.saic.com. SAIC: From Science to Solutions®
SOURCE SAIC
Web Site: http://www.saic.com
San Diego, California, Overland Park, Kansas, ILS modernization
The 3 Smartest Things You Can Do to Find a Job
Networking and Resume Tips from Jobfox
MCLEAN, VA /PRNewswire/ — Whether you are looking to start fresh in the New Year, or have been unemployed for any length of time, now is your chance to breathe life into your tired job search. Jobfox, one of the nation’s fastest growing online job sites, has a few suggestions for you.
Fine Tune your Resume
First and foremost, your resume must meet the standards of today’s hiring processes before applying to jobs online or posting your resume publicly. The current job market demands more than just impeccable grammar and a readable font. Keyword optimization, for example, is crucial to getting your resume the attention it deserves. Keywords can either be found in your target job descriptions, or specifically researched and tailored by professional resume writers. Including these details will assure that your resume comes up in recruiter’s searches. Along these same lines, resumes and cover letters should also be specifically targeted to each individual job’s requirements. Customization and personal touches distinguish you from the seas of typical resumes, helping you land interviews and get the job you desire.
Additionally, when describing your previous positions, be sure to showcase your accomplishments. Recruiters are not interested in reading through a catalog of tasks and duties–they want to know what you have achieved. Sell yourself through your resume by highlighting milestones and accomplishments that correlate directly with a potential employer’s objectives. “You could be the best performer at your job, but without documenting your measurable achievements, awards, or relevant new experiences on the job, you can’t provide proof when asked. As the years go by, the likelihood of remembering details of every accomplishment will more difficult. In 2012, jot down what you’ve achieved at your job – it will serve a useful purpose in optimizing your resume, and in the end, your chances of landing the job of your dreams,” suggests Alex Soto, CEO of ResumeLance and Soto Marketing Communications.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Job seekers should maintain an active, relevant presence in all social media platforms. LinkedIn and Facebook profiles need to be updated, professional and personalized, and you should make as many connections as possible. Merge these contacts on sites like Jobfox.com and Indeed.com in order to receive notifications about possible connections within the companies you’d like to work. If you do not know these potential contacts directly, ask someone you do know to recommend you or to make a direct introduction. Don’t be shy–applicants with referrals such as these are at least 5 times as likely to get an interview.
“Here is the real one/two punch: Target your resume to the job you want and get that resume into the hands of the hiring manager through a reference. Your chances of landing that job just skyrocketed past your competition,” says Peggy Padalino, VP of Sales and Client Services at Jobfox.
Network
Follow through with all leads, both online and in person, no matter how small. Research shows that lengthy periods of unemployment are directly linked to passive approaches to job searching. Regardless of how well-crafted your resume or impressive your career, an expansive network is essential to bolstering your search for the perfect job. Reach out to colleagues and friends, and proactively foster second and third degree connections. Moreover, networking is about establishing a rapport; it is extremely important that traditional courtesies and etiquette not be overlooked, even in the era of the social media. Experts recommend sending a thank you letter following an interview. Not only will it set you apart from other applicants for the job in question, but this simple act of decorum will also help establish a lasting connection within the company.
About Jobfox
Founded in 2005 in McLean, Virginia, Jobfox is a leading job search and career-networking site designed to find candidates the right jobs at the best companies. Through a comprehensive skills-based matching system, Jobfox connects thousands of employers to the most qualified individuals, as well as linking job seekers to relevant job opportunities in their fields. With over 1 Million resumes improved, Jobfox is also the largest provider of professionally written resumes online. For more information, visit http://www.jobfox.com
SOURCE Jobfox
CONTACT: Leigh Burke of Jobfox, lburke@jobfox.com
Web Site: http://www.jobfox.com
Risk of Unemployment Varies by College Major – Unemployment Level for High School Graduates Without Degree is 22.9%
WASHINGTON, DC /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Unemployment figures show the jobless rate for recent college graduates with Bachelor’s Degrees has been running at an unacceptable 8.9 percent. But, a new study from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce finds that unemployment among job seekers with no better than a high school diploma is a catastrophic 22.9 percent – and an almost unthinkable 31.5 percent among high school dropouts.
So, is college still worth it? A major conclusion of the new report is that it all depends on your major. And while a college degree gives job seekers a formidable advantage over those without, the study points out, not all degrees are created equal, and there are a number of factors that prospective students should consider before sending off their college applications.
Choice of major determines unemployment. Risk of unemployment for recent graduates varies considerably depending on their major. The highest rate, the study found, is among Architecture graduates (13.9 percent) due to the collapse of the construction and home-building industries in the recession. Unemployment is generally higher for non-technical majors, such as the Arts (11.1 percent) or Social Sciences (8.9 percent).
What employed college graduates make also depends on what they take. Median earnings among recent college graduates vary from $55,000 among Engineering majors to $30,000 in the Arts, as well as Psychology and Social Work.
People who make technology are better off than people who use technology. For recent graduates in Math and Computing, unemployment is low for specialists who can write software and invent new applications (6%), but still comparatively high (11.2 percent) for those who use software to manipulate, mine and disseminate information.
Unemployment is lowest where the ties between majors and occupations are highest. Unemployment rates are relatively low (5.4 percent) for recent graduates in Engineering, the Sciences, Education, or Healthcare related majors because they are tied to stable or growing industry sectors and occupations. Psychology and Social Work graduates also have relatively low rates (7.3 percent), because almost half of them work in the Healthcare or Education sectors.
At the same time, majors that are closely aligned with occupations and industries in low demand can misfire. For example, unemployment rates for recent college graduates who majored in Architecture start high at 13.9 percent and due to its strong alignment with the collapse in construction and housing, unemployment remains high even for experienced college graduates at 9.2 percent.
Consider a graduate degree. The overall unemployment rate for people with graduate degrees is just 3 percent. With the exception of Arts and Education, where pay traditionally has been low, workers with graduate degrees average between $60,000 and $100,000 per year, compared to a range of $48,000 and $62,000 for workers with Bachelor’s Degrees.
Not all graduate degrees outperform all BA’s on employment. Forexample, experienced college graduates in a healthcare field have lower unemployment rates than people with graduate degrees in every other field except the life and physical sciences.
The full report: Hard Times, College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal is available online at http://cew.georgetown.edu/unemployment.
The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce is an independent, nonprofit research and policy institute that studies the link between individual goals, education and training curricula, and career pathways.
CONTACT: Andrea Porter, cewgeorgetown.media@gmail.com
SOURCE Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Web Site: http://cew.georgetown.edu/
Georgetown University,
